"Full-time burglar" tried to stab charity shop manager during raid
A "full-time burglar" tried to stab a charity shop manager when he was confronted during a raid.
Christopher Cook was bravely tackled to the floor and disarmed after he caused thousands of pounds of damage to the Veterans At Ease shop, on Shields Road, Byker, Newcastle.
The 46-year-old had broken in through the roof before stealing from the till and a tombola bucket.
After he was arrested, Cook referred to himself as a "full-time burglar".
He was rumbled when the manager of the charity store opened up at 8am on August 24 and heard noise coming from upstairs, Newcastle Crown Court was told.He went to investigate and came across Cook in one of the rooms.
Neil Pallister, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was trying to open a safe with a screwdriver which had been taken from a set in the same room.
"The manager watched the defendant for a couple of seconds as he tried to take in who he was.
"He asked what he was doing and the defendant turned to look at him before turning back to face the safe.
"The defendant put his hood up and walked towards the complainant while making a stabbing motion with the screwdriver towards the victim while muttering unintelligibly.
"The complainant grabbed him and told him he wasn't going anywhere. The defendant tried to stab his arms and a struggle ensued as the victim tried to take the screwdriver from him.
"He eventually managed to do so and took the defendant to the floor."
Cook then got up and managed to get away.
The court heard Cook caused damage to the roof when he broke in and had stolen money from the charity shop till and tombola bucket. He had also taken jewellery from the counter.
Cook was later spotted by police, matching the description of the offender, near Greggs on Shields Road. He appeared under the influence, with saliva or foam on his mouth.
When he was searched, some of the stolen items were found on him, including the jewellery, a two-way radio and cash.
In a victim impact statement, the manager of the store said it would cost a couple of thousand pounds to repair the roof.
He added: "We are a charity which means this will impact us deeply. It was a bank holiday and we were unable to open the store, meaning we will lose more money."
Cook, of Armstrong Road, Benton, who has 147 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to robbery and was jailed for three years.
Judge Tom Moran told him: "The manager was a remarkably brave man. He grabbed you to try to detain you and fought with you. You tried to stab him and he took you to the floor and disarmed you."
The court heard Cook had relapsed into drug use after his partner died from an overdose.
Helen Towers, defending, said: "His instructions are 'I did this and deserve what I get'. He is deeply remorseful that he has committed an offence, particularly against a veterans' charity and a charity at all.
"In the state he was in he was not aware of where he was burgling, save that it was business. He does feel shame."